"The press in Goa has undergone many dramatic changes over the decades since Liberation. From being a propaganda machine of the colonialist Portuguese regime, it is today a powerful medium to convey the views and aspirations of the people of the state." [Rajesh Singh]
1. I agree: the press truly has undergone dramatic changes in Goa since 1961.
But the real question is, in what direction and to what benefit of Goan readers and democratisation of Goa's civil society?
2. I agree: as in all colonialist regimes the press is one of the first victims of political instrumentalisation. Same in the Estado da India Portuguesa, to a large extent.
But the real question is if we can truly wrap up a century-old and brilliant Goan tradition in critical socio-political investigative journalism, from the 19th century onwards as a mere "propaganda machine". This is one more example of blinding superficiality regarding Goa's pre-1961 past and the (deliberate?) attempt to blur the boundary between the true aspirations and achievements of Goans and the Portuguese colonial regime.
Is the amount of ignorance so great that we forget the great contributions of Goans in Goa for an independent critical journalism, opposed to the distant "capital metropolitana" (not to speak of those in British India before 1947 and in other parts of the world). Aren't there brilliant columnists and not-so-known Goan journalists who have regularly raised their voices for Goans demands? Is it fair to restrict these decades of Goan courage, even if only punctually and by some few, by characterizing the press as a mere "Portuguese propaganda machine"?
Having been the Director of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa, Rajesh Singh has got the duty to know that pre-1961 journalism existed, and, more than a propaganda machine, was a powerful medium to convey the views and aspirations of the people of Goa against the colonial regime. As well as today (in his words) "the press is a powerful medium to convey the views and aspirations of the people of the state". Or perhaps even better?
Constantino Hermanns Xavier
Sat Apr 30 00:26:33 2005
Press in Goa
By Rajesh Singh
The press in Goa has undergone many dramatic changes over the decades since
Liberation. From being a propaganda machine of the colonialist Portuguese
regime, it is today a powerful medium to convey the views and aspirations of
the people of the state. The press has become a watchdog of society, and to a
significant extent it has been keeping a watch on the performance of our
public figures, not hesitating to pull them up for their lapses.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rajesh Singh is a journalist, columnist and former Director
of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa.
The above article appeared on the front page of all PLUS tabloids in the April-
May 2005 issue.
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